There can be only one (or none)

A few weeks ago I was curious to read the “official” EDH rules, wondering if anything had changed with Commander launching as wizards-approved format. In addition to the official sites, I found an archived page somewhere referring to a rule I’d never heard of before: Generals in EDH are immune to the “legendary rule”. That meant they’d trigger it, killing off any pretenders in an enemy’s deck, but legendary commanders would survive any attempts at duplication.

For a few fleeting moments my clone effects suddenly looked bad, and uril the miststalker looked better (cheesier) than ever. However, asking around it was revealed that this was definitely not an official rule of the format - nor was it even a commonly practiced house rule. The format stayed as I’d always known it, and I could rest assured that this would still be a fantastic card for the few decks that could make use of it:

Clone effects are great because they all act as extremely potent, reliable removal in Commander. Spitting image is a cut above the usual options because of retrace - which means every land you draw reads “kill target general” once its in your graveyard. Beyond that amazing utility, the effects are great because they usually mean you get something worth a lot more than what you just paid - or the right answer at the right time. For every spearbreaker behemoth or inkwell leviathan you copy for 6, there’s another time when the right pick is copying a bone shredder or stomphowler. Spitting image gives you options and virtual card advantage (turns lands into power) which is about all you can ask of a solid EDH card.

The biggest knock I have for this card is that its green/blue and thus only fits in a handful of possible EDH decks. Beyond that its very fairly costed at 6 mana, and probably the best retrace spell there is. You should have lots of easy ways to fill your hand up with more lands between cards like journeyer’s kite, land tax, armillary sphere, and even sprouting vines so it sits there as a rattlesnake to anyone who wants to crush you with general damage, while simultaneously letting you get your own version of the best guy on the board whenever you’ve got a land to pitch.

Macaroni or Cheese

The effect is awesome, it has re-usability, and its just expensive enough at 6CMC to not be broken or excessively annoying. Two thumbs up!